Mqabba Albions vs. Versity Tal-Qroqq

Date: 18^th October 2008

Venue: San Gwann

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Wasteful Versity succumb to second defeat

Mqabba Albions         3

Versity Tal-Qroqq      1

(Half-time 2 – 1)

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After the absence of a month Versity Tal-Qroqq returned for their game against Mqabba Albions who in turn were coming from a heavy defeat inflicted by Valletta St Pauli. Versity were hoping for a better performance and ultimately a positive result.

Camilleri shuffled his cards from the first match and in came Ferrante, Ellul Soler and Caruana in the backline, Calleja in midfield and J Grima to spearhead the attack. The moves ultimately did not pay off in view of a combination of factors: ill-luck, over elaborate approach work and wastefulness in front of the opposing goal. The formation was based on the 4-4-1-1 system.  

Hardly had the match commenced that Versity were already chasing the result. A long ball was headed clear by D Grima to the by-line. However, the Versity midfield was caught napping and Mqabba stole the ball. They passed the ball quickly and the resulting shot from the edge of the box found itself at the back of the net with Agius looking on. Versity went immediately in search of the equalizer and they were dictating matters although Mqabba were dangerous on the counter and in using the long ball. However, midway through the half Versity got the deserved equalizer. R Zammit worked an interesting through ball in the path of Williams who on the run turned well and got the equalizing goal. However, hardly had Versity celebrated their goal that once more they went a goal behind. A hopeful ball into the centre of the area was struck by the outstretched foot of the Mqabba forward and somehow the ball found itself in the top corner with Agius a bystander. Fate was surely not smiling on the gallant Versity players who felt that lady luck was surely not on their side.  Versity were surely not disheartened but try as they might they could not find the second equalizer and the half time whistle brought an end to proceedings. 

Versity continued the match with the same personnel. Cutajar was having a good match in the middle of the park with Zammit playing well behind the striker. The Versity flanks made of Calleja and Mifsud however were not causing enough problems to try to stretch their opponents and Versity’s midfield seemed to lack the necessary shooting power to trouble with distant shots. Versity were basically playing in their opponents half apart from some sporadic getaway by Mqabba which was usually well dealt with by the backline. Camilleri changed Caruana with Buttigieg to give more urgency and push into attack and even introduced Muscat instead of Mifsud hoping for more width. The moves were helpful but the final outcome did not change. From a free-kick earned close to the box Cutajar went agonizingly close when his shot hit the post. This seemed to confirm that this probably was not Versity’s day. As the match progressed there were close shots by the forwards and midfield mainly Calleja, Grima and Zammit. Williams saw a good shot shaving close from the post whereas the Mqabba goalkeeper pulled off some fine stops. Camilleri introduced for the last quarter C Zammit instead of Grima and although this helped Versity still could not find a route to goal. In the last moments as Versity threw everything forward a counter attack saw Ellul Soler misjudge a control and the attacker ran onto the ball. Agius came out swiftly but he was slightly late tripping the forward who tumbled in the box. The referee awarded the penalty but deemed that the scoring opportunity was not that clear and thus did not dismiss Agius giving him a yellow card instead. The Mqabba player dispatched the penalty into the net for a score of 3-1. Few moments later the game was over and although Versity will feel bitter about the result it is goals that count and if they are not going to find a way of adapting their game to the new pitch surroundings the future at this point in time seems to be bleak. Versity need to find the right balance and they have to do so now against more quoted opponents in the frame of Valletta St Pauli the current champions. The will and eagerness is there and so one hopes that this will bring better results. Time will tell.

Formation:

D Agius [6] – Faultless in conceded goals;

D Caruana [6.0] – Tried hard;

S Ferrante [6.5] – Good performance;

D Grima [5.5] – Below par;

J Ellul Soler [5.5] – Unsure;

A Cutajar [6.5] – Fought hard;

C Williams [7.5] – Effective all round play;

R Zammit [7.0] – Good vision;

I Calleja [6.0] – missed a good opportunity;

A Mifsud [5.0] – subdued;

J Grima [6.5] – roamed well;

Subs:

M Muscat [6.5] – Comfortable on flank;

C Zammit [6.0] – Fitted in well;

K Buttigieg [6.0] – Gave pace;

Unused Subs:

R Azzopardi; A Borg; K Bonnici; M Salerno;  

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri [6.5] – team well fielded but let down by approach work and poor finishing

Versity Player of the match: Charles Williams – roamed and fought for the cause scoring a good goal on a good through ball by R Zammit.